July Blog Hop Preview

Papertrey Ink's monthly Blog Hop is scheduled for next week - Friday, July 25, 2008 to be exact. I'm making this post in case you want to get involved.

It's alot of fun. There is a challenge and then you create something related to the challenge and you post it on your blog. There are some other rules/details that you can view here.

I'm getting a headstart because I missed last month's challenge. I was on vacation and although I had some craft items w/me, I did not have the main challenge item - a transparency. Crazy, most offices no longer stock them and I was unwilling to purchase a pack knowing that I have/had some at home.

Anyway ... I plan to schedule my post to go up on my blog and maybe someone can and will post a link to my blog in the forum (since there is a good chance that I will not be able to do it myself).

That's a long story, eh?

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: SEI's Jolie Chocolat and Papertrey's Chocolate remix
stamp: Inkadinkadoo
ink: Ranger
ribbon: Offray
vellum: The Paper Studio

sketch this :: 57

Loving the sketches these days. Probably because I have time to create. Nice.
Now for this sketch, I used a sketch this sketch. Then I pulled out some old paper - American Crafts. I was seeking some other lavender/lilac combination, but I got tired of looking and settled for this. I also pulled out the easy to use $1 clear stamps from Michaels for the Happy Birthday. I don't like the way the birthday turned out, but oh, well. Then there's the embossed birthday cake. I 'borrowed' that embossing folder from my sister.

Finally, the only thing that is missing is I put a little bling to dot the 'i' in birthday. Forgot to do that before I took the pic.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill and Bazzill Bling
patterned paper: American Crafts
stamp: Studio G ($1 stamps from Michaels)
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Joanns
ribbon: Michaels and Wright's
dry embossing folder: Cuttlebug

sketch this :: 50

Ooooh, I took a lot of time on this one. So many details. But no matter how simple or detailed, I just love making cards.

I am still a beginner in the sewing arena - and it shows, maybe not w/this card, but I need more practice. Luckily, I'm crafty enough that I can cover up my mistakes. ;-)

cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co. and Anna Griffin
stamps: Rhonna Farrer
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Creative Beginnings
heart die cut: CuttleKids
flower punch: EK Success
buttons: Bazzill and unknown
bling: unknown
sentiment: created using Photoshop CS3
ribbon: ??
other sewing

Going Embossing Crazy!

Yes, I have dry embossing and heat embossing and then doing it some more! Crazy, but crazy fun.

cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
stamp: Studio G ($1 Michael's)
ribbon: Michaels
heart die cut: CuttleKids
floss: DMC
bow: Offray
ink: Versamagic
Embossing powder: ??

My Wish List

So I've been crafting and crafting and having a good time. However, I have made some time to browse the web and see all the new goodies or goodies that I just don't have. Thus, my list of things that I don't have, that I want and I want them soon:

• Nestabilities basic and scalloped ovals: I want to use these nested, of course, but I like the idea of stamping sentiments in the center UPDATE: purchased the basic set on 4.25
  
• I love the Cuttlebug embossing folders and although I have several I do not have the much coveted Swiss Dots of the Swirls = must haves UPDATE: purchased both on 4.25
  
• Fiskars Treading Water border punch is just a really cool item. I like scalloped edges, but this has a twist w/a hole in it as well - check the visual on this one
• Papertrey Ink's ribbon is gorgeous and elegant and it, too, is a must have
• The Papertrey Ink Polka Dot Stamp Set (acrylic) is awesome. I saw an example where the dots were heat embossed; lovely
  
• The Scor-Pal seems kinda cool ... I've seen some projects that were completed using this tool and I like the results UPDATE: I'm now leaning toward the large Scor It, after consulting with three different people who own a Scor It.
  

I think when all is said and done, this list alone will set me back by nearly $200 ... whoa!

Top Three Crafting Items that I'd Love to Have

Here is a short list (I was going to go for ten, then I thought, well, five is pretty round number ... and then I narrowed it down to three because where am I going to put these things ...? since I already own too much):

1. Quickutz Spicy Chicken Grand Alphabet
2. A circle cutter (I've been using some punches, but they are not getting the job done)
3. Maya Road goodies

Sooo many choices ...

My current craft area is threatening to take over my entire living space. As much as I love my goodies, I need to use up at least a third of it OR stop making non-essential purchases ... I'm working more on the latter. Meanwhile, my stash leaves me w/sooo many choices!

Here are some photos of some of my favorite drawers:

• the ink drawer: I'm really liking the distress ink w/my clear stamps
• the ribbon draw: my favorite embellishment
• my miscelleanous drawer: mainly for adhesives and small ink pads
• the embellishment drawer: there's something for everything here